CHRIS PITMAN
HEADING down the coast proved to be more than just a scenic drive with anglers banking great numbers of well-conditioned Australian salmon.
Bruce and Faye Doherty have long wanted to try spinning from the rocks for salmon so when a break in the weather allowed last week the pair travelled down to Artillery Rocks.
Arriving to find the swell on the rise Bruce and Faye started casting lures from a more sheltered section but it did not take long before the pair had landed numerous salmon to 1kg. With the swell still rising they decided to call it a day quite content with their success.
Anglers fishing from beaches such as Bancoora have found Australian salmon responding well to lures such as sea iron sprat and sluks. The lead up to the high tide has been more favourable especially when combined with a north wind.
Some of the salmon have reached the 2kg mark and are holding in the deeper gutters further down the beach. Typically the cooler months of the year see larger salmon move in en-masse which makes for a great winter option. Other anglers fishing Bancoora have encountered gummy shark by fishing into the night with fresh squid as bait.
Inside the bay Queenscliff has been the go-to location for those seeking squid. Anglers fishing both from pier and boat have found respectable numbers of squid.
Anglers drifting over the grass beds just outside the Queenscliff harbour have taken squid to 1.5kg. In the harbour silver trevally respond well to 2.5” Z-Man grubs in motor oil colouration. Some of the trevally came in at an impressive 45cm and at this size they provide one of the best fight you can find on light tackle.
Corio Bay remained productive for flathead and pinkie snapper at Western Beach among the moored boats. Soft plastics once again were responsible for taking greater numbers of fish.
Those heading over to the grammar school lagoon had no trouble in landing pike to almost 90cm. Trolling or casting smaller slim profile hard body lures has worked a treat; just watch for teeth as these fish have a habit of biting though line.
The Barwon estuary has for months now remained a great location for those seeking mulloway and bream. This past week saw some impressive captures with anglers fishing into the night boating mulloway to 90cm on fresh baits such as squid and live mullet.
Just remember to take care when handling mulloway and return them to the water as quick as possible if you intend on releasing them. Bream have fallen to live bass yabbies. Fishing the top of the high tide has proven most productive.
Tuna reports from Port Fairy and Portland slowed late last week with most anglers finding them sporadic at best. Earlier in the week Chris Vasileski from Gone Fishing charters experienced some fast paced action with an eight-way hook up on school sized Bluefin tuna. After a frantic scramble Chris landed six tuna up to 20kg.
Last Sunday Apollo Bay held good numbers of tuna willing to take trolled lures. Nikita Cook and her farther Jamie launched out of Apollo Bay and successfully in boated two. Nikita took the best tuna for the day weighing in at 11.75kg, made all the more impressive by the 6kg rated tackle she used to take down the fish. Nikita efforts have earned her a pending record.
Darryl Luttrell took a drive to Newland Reservoir last week where walking the banks casting Rapala XR-6 spotted dog he took some beasty redfin to over 40cm. Darryl noted an early day break start paid off.
A lot of anglers overlook the local rivers for trout and instead focus on the lakes which are renowned for producing much larger specimens. But with the rain over the last few weeks the upper reaches of the Barwon and Moorabool rivers has seen anglers find some healthy brown trout to 35cm.
The best tactic has involved casting smaller profile lures such as Ecogear MX48s and soft plastics.
Next week if the weather allows Apollo Bay is well worth the trip in search of tuna. Trolling skirted lures or Rapala X-Rap 30s are the way to go. Closer to home Queenscliff harbour will be hard to go past with 40cm plus silver trevally on the go.
